Method for transmitting dual tone multi frequency and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) and an electronic device thereof. In the method, a number input event is detected during communication. When the number input event is detected, a numerical keypad is displayed. At least one number is received via the numerical keypad. The received at least one number is stored in a buffer. When a transmission event is detected, at least one DTMF corresponding to the number stored in the buffer is transmitted to a base station.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office on Dec. 18, 2012 and assigned Serial No.10-2012-0148917, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and anapparatus for transmitting a multi frequency in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Recently, as an electronic device such as a smart phone and a tabletPersonal Computer (PC) develops rapidly, an electronic device thatenables wireless voice communication and information exchange has becomea daily necessity. In an early stage of distribution, the electronicdevice has been simply recognized as a portable device that enableswireless communication, but as a technology thereof develops and awireless Internet is introduced, the electronic device gets out of theportable device enabling simple wireless communication and evolves intoa multimedia device performing functions of schedule management, games,a remote controller, image shooting, a projector etc., meeting a user'sneed.

Particularly, recently, as a case of performing a personal business orpayment via an electronic device frequency occurs, a circumstance wherea user should input numbers during communication occurs. For example, acircumstance where a user needs to input a registration number and aphone number in order to identify the user during communication, or acircumstance where a user needs to input an account number in order toperform payment during communication may occur. In the case where a userperforms payment via an electronic device, the user should input numberscorresponding to an account number one by one. However, in case ofinputting a plurality of numbers such as an account number, the user mayerroneously input numbers or may forget the sequence of the inputnumbers.

As described above, in the case where a user should input numbers againduring communication as in the case where the user has erroneously inputnumbers during communication or the user has forgotten the sequence ofthe numbers during communication, the user has an inconvenience ofhaving to return to a previous step and re-perform the proceeding steps,or input the numbers again from the beginning after an input timeexpires.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is aprimary object to provide a method and an apparatus for inputtingnumbers during communication in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and anapparatus for temporarily storing numbers input during communication ina buffer instead of immediately transmitting the input numbers, and whena transmission event occurs, transmitting the numbers stored in thebuffer in an electronic device.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a methodand an apparatus for temporarily storing numbers input duringcommunication in a buffer instead of immediately transmitting the inputnumbers, and when a number input cancel event occurs, transmitting therest of numbers excluding numbers for which a number input cancel eventhas occurred among the numbers stored in the buffer in an electronicdevice.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method fortransmitting a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) in an electronic deviceis provided. The method includes detecting a number input event duringcommunication, when the number input event is detected, displaying anumerical keypad, receiving at least one number via the numericalkeypad, storing the received at least one number in a buffer, and when atransmission event is detected, transmitting at least one DTMFcorresponding to the number stored in the buffer to a base station.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anapparatus for transmitting a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) in anelectronic device is provided. The apparatus includes one or moreprocessors, a touch detect display, at least one sensor, a memory, andone or more programs stored in the memory and configured for executionby the one or more processors, wherein the program includes instructionsfor detecting a number input event during communication, when the numberinput event is detected, displaying a numerical keypad, receiving atleast one number via the numerical keypad, storing the received at leastone number in a buffer, and when a transmission event is detected,transmitting at least one DTMF corresponding to the number stored in thebuffer to a base station.

Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a processor according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart of a procedure for transmitting a numberinput during communication in an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates means for transmitting a number input duringcommunication in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates is a flowchart of a procedure for temporarily storinga number input during communication in a buffer and then transmitting aDTMF corresponding to the number stored in the buffer to a base stationin an electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of displaying a numerical keypad in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of storing an input number in a buffer inan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of transmitting a DTMF corresponding to anumber stored in a buffer to a base station in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of displaying a input number and atransmitted number during communication in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of automatically transmitting a DTMFcorresponding to a number stored in a buffer to a base station in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A through 8, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device. The followingdescription with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided toassist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includesvarious specific details to assist in that understanding but these areto be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of theembodiments described herein can be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure. Also, descriptions of well-knownfunctions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure are provided for illustration purpose only and notfor the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

In the description below, the electronic device includes a mobilecommunication terminal, a smart phone, a tablet PC, and a feature phonehaving a communication function.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the electronic device 100 includes a memory 110, aprocessor 120, an input/output (I/O) unit 130, a proximity sensor 140,an illumination sensor 142, and an audio controller 144. A plurality ofmemories 110 and processors 120 may exist.

The memory 110 includes a data storage 111, an Operating System (OS)program 113, an application 114, a Graphic User Interface (GUI) program115, an event detect program 116, and a display program 117. Also, sincea program which is a software element may be expressed as a set ofinstructions, the program may be expressed as an instruction set. Aprogram may be also expressed as a module.

The memory 110 may store one or more programs including instructionsperforming an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The data storage 111 stores data occurring while a functioncorresponding to a program stored in the memory 110 is performed. Thedata storage 111 includes a buffer 112.

The data storage 111 according to the present disclosure stores a voiceinstruction for determining a circumstance that requires number inputduring communication. For example, the data storage 111 may store avoice instruction such as “press numbers” or “input numbers”. Here, thevoice instruction for determining a circumstance requiring number inputduring communication may be set and changed by a designer and/or a user.

The buffer 112 according to the present disclosure may temporarily storea number received (or input) from a user during communication. At thispoint, in the case where a number is temporarily stored in the buffer112 and a predetermined time elapses, the electronic device 100 maytransmit a DTMF corresponding to the number stored in the buffer 112 toa base station under control of the event detect program 116 or theprocessor 112. In addition, in the case where a number is temporarilystored in the buffer 112 and a transmission event occurs, the electronicdevice 100 may transmit a DTMF corresponding to the number temporarilystored in the buffer 112 to a base station under control of the eventdetect program 116 or the processor 112.

The OS program 113 (for example, WINDOWS, LINUX, Darwin, RTXC, UNIX, OSX, or a built-in OS such as VxWorks) includes various software elementsfor controlling a general system operation. For example, control of thegeneral system operation denotes memory management and control, storagehardware (device) control and management, power control and management,etc. The OS program 113 performs a function for swift communicationbetween various hardware (devices) and software elements (programs).

The application 114 includes applications such as a browser, an e-mail,a message, word processing, an address book, a widget, Digital RightManagement (DRM), voice recognition, voice duplication, a positiondetermining function, a location based service, communication, etc.

The GUI program 115 includes at least one software element for providinga user interface using graphics between a user and the electronic device100. That is, the GUI program 115 includes at least one software elementfor displaying user interface information on the front side of the I/Ounit 130. According to the present disclosure, the GUI program 115includes an instruction for displaying a keypad when a number inputevent is detected during communication. In addition, the GUI program 115may include an instruction for displaying a transmit button (or icon)and/or a cancel button (or icon) on an arbitrary region of a displayscreen where the numerical keypad is displayed when displaying thenumerical keypad. Also, the GUI program 115 includes an instruction fordisplaying a number received via the keypad and a number temporarilystored in the buffer 112 and corresponding to a DTMF transmitted to abase station when a number is input.

The event detect program 116 may detect occurrence of a number inputevent. At this point, the number input event may be detected via a voiceinstruction or whether the electronic device 100 approaches.

First, the event detect program 116 may receive the same voiceinstruction as a voice instruction stored in advance duringcommunication to detect a number input event occurs. In detail, theevent detect program 116 receives a voice instruction from a microphone148 or a counterpart electronic device, and compares the received voiceinstruction with the voice instruction stored in advance to determinewhether the received voice instruction is the same as the voiceinstruction stored in advance. At this point, the voice instructionstored in advance denotes a voice instruction representing a numberinput circumstance during communication. For example, the number inputcircumstance denotes a circumstance under which a user should input aphone number, a registration number, a password, and an account numberto an electronic device. At this point, the voice instruction stored inadvance may be a number input request instruction such as “pressnumbers” or “input numbers”.

In the case where a received voice instruction is the same as the voiceinstruction stored in advance, the event detect program 116 maydetermine a circumstance where a user should input numbers duringcommunication has occurred and control the display program 117 todisplay the numerical keypad. For example, in the case where a voiceinstruction saying “input an account number” is received, the eventdetect program 116 may determine a circumstance where a user shouldinput numbers during communication has occurred and control the displayprogram 117 to display the numerical keypad. For another example, in thecase where a voice instruction saying “input registration numbers” isreceived, the event detect program 117 may determine a circumstancewhere a user should input numbers during communication has occurred andcontrol the display program 117 to display the numerical keypad.

Additionally, in the case where a received voice instruction is the sameas the voice instruction stored in advance, the event detect program 116may detect whether the electronic device 100 is separated far away froma user's ears. In detail, in the case where the received voiceinstruction is the same as the voice instruction stored in advance, theevent detect program 116 may detect the electronic device 100 isseparated far away from the user's ears to determine a circumstancewhere the user should input numbers during communication has occurred,and control the display program 117 to display the numerical keypad. Atthis point, the event detect program 116 may detect whether theelectronic device 100 is separated far away from the user's ears basedon data detected by at least one sensor. For example, the event detectprogram 116 may determine whether the user's ears are separated far awayfrom the electronic device 100 via the proximity sensor 140 in theneighborhood of the display panel. For another example, the event detectprogram 116 may determine whether the user's ears are separated far awayfrom the electronic device 100 via the illumination sensor 142 in theneighborhood of the display panel. For still another example, the eventdetect program 116 may determine whether the user's ears are separatedfar away from the electronic device 100 via an infrared sensor (notshown) in the neighborhood of the display panel.

In addition, the event detect program 116 may detect occurrence of atransmission event. At this point, the event detect program 116 maydetect occurrence of a transmission event based on an elapsed time aftera number is input, whether a transmit button is input, or the electronicdevice 100 approaches.

First, in the case where a predetermined time elapses from a numberinput point after the number is input, the event detect program 116 maytransmit a DTMF corresponding to a relevant number stored in the buffer112 to a base station. At this point, in the case where two or morenumbers are stored in the buffer 112, the event detect program 116 maytransmit a DTMF corresponding to a number first stored among the two ormore numbers to the base station.

Also, in the case where a transmit button (or icon) is input (orselected) after at least one number is input, the event detect program116 may transmit a DTMF corresponding to the relevant number stored inthe buffer 112 to the base station.

In addition, in the case where the electronic device 100 gets close tothe user's ears after at least one number is input to the electronicdevice 100, the event detect program 116 may transmit a DTMFcorresponding to the number stored in the buffer 112 to the basestation. The event detect program 116 may detect whether the electronicdevice 100 gets close to the user's ears based on data detected by atleast one sensor. For example, the event detect program 116 maydetermine whether the electronic device 100 gets close to the user'sears via the proximity sensor 140 in the neighborhood of the displaypanel. For another example, the event detect program 116 may determinewhether the electronic device 100 gets close to the user's ears via theillumination sensor 142 in the neighborhood of the display panel. Forstill another example, the event detect program 116 may determinewhether the electronic device 100 gets close to the user's ears via aninfrared sensor (not shown) in the neighborhood of the display panel.

Also, in the case where a transmit button (or icon) and/or a cancelbutton (or icon) displayed on an arbitrary region of the display screenis selected, the event detect program 116 performs a functioncorresponding to the selected button (or icon).

For example, in the case where the displayed transmit button (or icon)is selected, the event detect program 116 may transmit a DTMFcorresponding to the number stored in the buffer 112 to a base station.For another example, in the case where the displayed cancel button (oricon) is selected, the event detect program 116 may delete the numberstored in the buffer 112. At this point, in the case where a pluralityof numbers are stored in the buffer 112, the event detect program 116may delete a number input last and stored in the buffer 112 last amongthe numbers stored in the buffer 112. For another example, in the casewhere a plurality of numbers are stored in the buffer 112, the eventdetect program 116 may delete a number representing a number positionedin front of a cursor displayed on the display unit among the numbersstored in the buffer 112.

In the case where a number input event is detected by the event detectprogram 116, the display program 117 may display the transmit button (oricon) and/or the cancel button (or icon) on the arbitrary region of thedisplay screen where the numerical keypad is displayed.

In addition, when inputting numbers, the display program 117 may displaya number received via the keypad, and may additionally display a numbertemporarily stored in the buffer 112 and transmitted to a base station.In addition, in the case where a specific number stored in the buffer112 is deleted by selection of the cancel button, the display program117 may display an effect of deleting the relevant number displayed onthe screen. In addition, in the case where the cancel button has beenselected but all the numbers stored in the buffer 112 have beentransmitted, the display program 117 may display a message or a graphiceffect representing all the input numbers have been transmitted and sothe input cannot be cancelled.

Though not shown, the processor 120 may include at least one processorand a peripheral interface. Also, the processor 120 may execute aspecific program (instruction set) stored in the memory 110 to perform aplurality of specific functions corresponding to the program.

The I/O unit 130 includes an input unit that can input data and anoutput unit that can output data to provide an interface to a user. Forexample, the I/O unit 130 may be a touchscreen that can input and outputdata simultaneously. When a number input event occurs duringcommunication, the I/O unit 130 according to the present disclosure maydisplay the numerical keypad. In addition, the I/O unit 130 may displaythe transmit button (or icon) and/or the cancel button (or icon) on thearbitrary region of the display screen where the numerical keypad isdisplayed.

The proximity sensor 140 may detect whether the user approaches.Particularly, the proximity sensor 140 provided to the neighborhood ofthe display panel may detect whether the user's ears are separated farway from the electronic device 100 in order to input numbers. At thispoint, in the case where a distance between the user's ears and theproximity sensor 140 becomes a threshold distance or more, the proximitysensor 140 provided to the neighborhood of the display panel can detectan event where the user's ears are separated far way from the electronicdevice 100 occurs.

In contrast, the proximity sensor 140 provided to the neighborhood ofthe display panel can detect whether the electronic device 100 getsclose to the user's ears for re-communication after the number input iscompleted. At this point, in the case where a distance between theuser's ears and the proximity sensor 140 gets close within the thresholddistance, the proximity sensor 140 provided to the neighborhood of thedisplay panel may detect an event where the user's ears get close to theelectronic device 100 occurs.

The illumination sensor 142 may detect whether the user approachesdepending on the brightness of detected light. Particularly, theillumination sensor 142 provided to the neighborhood of the displaypanel may detect whether the user's ears are separated far way from theelectronic device 100 in order to input numbers. At this point, in thecase where the brightness of light in the neighborhood of the displaypanel gets brighter more than threshold illumination, the illuminationsensor 142 provided to the neighborhood of the display panel may detectan event where the user's ears are separated far way from the electronicdevice 100 occurs. Also, the illumination sensor 142 provided to theneighborhood of the display panel can detect whether the electronicdevice 100 gets close to the user's ears for re-communication after thenumber input is completed. At this point, in the case where thebrightness of light in the neighborhood of the display panel gets darkerthan threshold illumination, the illumination sensor 142 provided to theneighborhood of the display panel may detect an event where the user'sears get close to the electronic device 100 occurs.

The audio controller 144 is coupled to the speaker 146 and themicrophone 148 to perform voice recognition, voice duplication, digitalrecording, and an input/output function of an audio stream such as atelephone function. That is, the audio controller 144 performs afunction for outputting an audio signal via the speaker 146 andreceiving a user's voice signal via the microphone 148. The audiocontroller 144 receives a data stream via the processor 120, convertsthe received data stream to an electric stream, and transfers theconverted electric stream (electric signal) to the speaker 146. Theaudio controller 144 receives a converted electric stream from themicrophone 148, converts the received electric stream to an audio datastream, and then transfers the converted audio data stream to theprocessor 120. The audio controller 144 may include an attachable anddetachable ear phone, and a head phone or a head set. The speaker 146converts an electric stream received from the audio controller 144 to asound wave audible by a person, and outputs the same. The microphone 148converts a sound wave transferred from a person or other sound sourcesto an electric stream. The audio controller 144 according to the presentdisclosure may receive a voice instruction.

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a processor according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the processor includes an event detect processor122 and a display processor 124.

The event detect processor 122 may detect occurrence of a number inputevent. At this point, the number input event may be detected via a voiceinstruction or whether the electronic device 100 approaches.

First, the event detect processor 122 may detect a number input eventoccurs by receiving the same voice instruction as the voice instructionstored in advance during communication. In detail, the event detectprocessor 122 receives a voice instruction from the microphone 148 or acounterpart electronic device during communication, and compares thereceived voice instruction with the voice instruction stored in advanceto determine whether the received voice instruction is the same as thevoice instruction stored in advance. At this point, the voiceinstruction stored in advance denotes a voice instruction representing anumber input circumstance during communication. For example, the numberinput circumstance denotes a circumstance where a user should input aphone number, a registration number, a password, and an account number.At this point, the voice instruction stored in advance may be a numberinput request instruction such as “press numbers” or “input numbers”.

In the case where the received voice instruction is the same as thevoice instruction stored in advance, the event detect processor 122 maydetermine a circumstance where a user should input numbers duringcommunication, and control the display processor 124 to display thenumerical keypad. For example, in the case where a voice instruction of“input an account number” is received, the event detect processor 122may determine a circumstance where a user should input numbers duringcommunication has occurred, and control the display processor 124 todisplay the numerical keypad. For another example, in the case where avoice instruction of “input a registration number” is received, theevent detect processor 122 may determine a circumstance where a usershould input numbers during communication has occurred, and control thedisplay processor 124 to display the numerical keypad.

Additionally, in the case where a received voice instruction is the sameas the voice instruction stored in advance, the event detect processor122 may detect whether the electronic device 100 is separated far wayfrom a user's ears. In detail, in the case where a received voiceinstruction is the same as the voice instruction stored in advance, theevent detect processor 122 may detect the electronic device 100 isseparated far way from the user's ears to determine a circumstance wherea user should input numbers during communication has occurred, andcontrol the display processor 124 to display the numerical keypad. Atthis point, the event detect processor 122 may detect whether theelectronic device 100 is separated far way from a user's ears based ondata detected by at least one sensor. For example, the event detectprocessor 122 may determine whether a user's ears are separated far wayfrom the electronic device 100 via the proximity sensor 140 in theneighborhood of the display panel. For another example, the event detectprocessor 122 may determine whether a user's ears are separated far wayfrom the electronic device 100 via the illumination sensor 142 in theneighborhood of the display panel. For still another example, the eventdetect processor 122 may determine whether a user's ears are separatedfar way from the electronic device 100 via an infrared sensor (notshown) in the neighborhood of the display panel.

In addition, the event detect processor 122 may detect occurrence of atransmission event. At this point, the event detect processor 122 maydetect occurrence of a transmission event based on an elapsed time aftera number input, whether a transmit button is input, or whether theelectronic device 100 approaches.

First, in the case where after a number is input, a predetermined timeelapses from the number input point, the event detect processor 122 maytransmit a DTMF corresponding to a relevant number stored in the buffer112 to a base station. At this point, in the case where at least twonumbers are stored in the buffer 112, the event detect processor 122 maytransmit first a DTMF corresponding to a number stored first among theat least two numbers to a base station.

Also, in the case where after at least one number is input, the transmitbutton (or icon) is input (or selected), the event detect processor 122may transmit a DTMF corresponding to the relevant number stored in thebuffer 112 to a base station.

In addition, in the case where after at least one number is input to theelectronic device 100, the electronic device 100 gets close to a user'sears, the event detect processor 122 may transmit a DTMF correspondingto a number stored in the buffer 112 to the base station. The eventdetect processor 122 may detect whether the electronic device 100 getsclose to the user's ears based on data detected by at least one sensor.For example, the event detect processor 122 may determine whether theelectronic device 100 gets close to the user's ears via the proximitysensor 140 in the neighborhood of the display panel. For anotherexample, the event detect processor 122 may determine whether theelectronic device 100 gets close to the user's ears via the illuminationsensor 142 in the neighborhood of the display panel. For still anotherexample, the event detect processor 122 may determine whether theelectronic device 100 gets close to the user's ears via an infraredsensor (not shown) in the neighborhood of the display panel.

Also, in the case where the transmit button (or icon) and/or the cancelbutton (or icon) displayed on an arbitrary region of the display screenis selected, the event detect processor 122 performs a functioncorresponding to the selected button (or icon).

For example, in the case where the displayed transmit button (or icon)is selected, the event detect processor 122 may transmit a DTMFcorresponding to the number stored in the buffer 112 to the basestation. For another example, in the case where the displayed cancelbutton (or icon) is selected, the event detect processor 122 may deletea number stored in the buffer 112. At this point, in the case where aplurality of numbers are stored in the buffer 112, the event detectprocessor 122 may delete a number input last and stored in the buffer112 last. For another example, in the case where a plurality of numbersare stored in the buffer 112, the event detect processor 122 may deletea number representing a number positioned in front of a cursor displayedon the display unit among the numbers stored in the buffer 112.

In the case where a number input event is detected by the event detectprocessor 122, the display processor 124 may display the transmit button(or icon) and/or the cancel button (or icon) on an arbitrary region ofthe display screen where the numerical keypad has been displayed.

In addition, when a number is input, the display processor 124 maydisplay the number received via the keypad. Additionally, the displayprocessor 124 may display a number temporarily stored in the buffer 112and transmitted to a base station. In addition, in the case where aspecific number stored in the buffer 112 is deleted by selection of thecancel button, the display processor 124 may display an effect ofdeleting the relevant number displayed on the screen. In addition, inthe case where the cancel button has been selected but all the numbersstored in the buffer 112 have been transmitted, the display processor124 may display a message or a graphic effect representing all the inputnumbers have been transmitted and so the input cannot be cancelled.

FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart of a process for transmitting a numberinput during communication in an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the electronic device 100 may detect a numberinput event during communication in step 201. At this point, theelectronic device 100 may detect a number input event depending onwhether a received voice instruction is the same as the voiceinstruction stored in advance and/or whether the electronic device 100is separated far way from a user's ears.

When detecting the number input event in step 203, the electronic devicedisplays a numerical keypad. At this point, the electronic device 100may display the transmit button (or icon) and/or the cancel button on anarbitrary region of the display screen where the numerical keypad isdisplayed.

The electronic device 100 receives at least one number via the numericalkeypad in step 205, and then proceeds to step 207 to store the receivedat least one number in the buffer.

After that, when detecting a transmission event, the electronic devicemay transmit at least one DTMF corresponding to the number stored in thebuffer 112 to a base station. At this point, the electronic device maydisplay the number received via the numerical keypad and the numbercorresponding to the DTMF transmitted from the buffer 112 to the basestation. That is, when a number is input via the keypad during thecommunication, the electronic device 100 may temporarily store the inputnumber in the buffer 112 without immediately transmitting the inputnumber to the base station, and then when detecting a transmissionevent, may transmit the temporarily stored number to the base station(step 209), and may display the input number and the number transmittedto the base station on the screen in real-time.

FIG. 2B illustrates means for transmitting a number input duringcommunication in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the electronic device 100 includes means 211 fordetecting a number input event during communication. At this point, themeans 211 for detecting a number input event during communicationincludes means for detecting reception of a voice instruction coincidingwith the voice instruction stored in advance and/or means for detectingwhether the electronic device 100 is separated far way from a user'sears.

In addition, the electronic device 100 includes means for displaying thenumerical keypad when detecting a number input event. At this point, theelectronic device 100 includes means for displaying the transmit button(or icon) and/or the cancel button (or icon) on an arbitrary region ofthe display screen where the numerical keypad is displayed.

Also, the electronic device 100 includes means 215 for receiving atleast one number via the numerical keypad and means 217 for storing theat least one number in the buffer 112. At this point, the electronicdevice 100 includes means for deleting the number stored in the buffer112 when the cancel button (or icon) is selected.

In addition, the electronic device 100 includes means 219 fortransmitting at least one DTMF corresponding to the number stored in thebuffer to a base station when detecting a transmission event. At thispoint, means for detecting a transmission event includes means fordetecting whether a predetermined time elapses after a number is storedin the buffer 112, and means for detecting selection of a transmitbutton or means for detecting whether the electronic device 100approaches a user's ears.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process for temporarily storing anumber input during communication in a buffer and then transmitting aDTMF corresponding to the number stored in the buffer to a base stationin an electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 performs a communicationfunction with a counterpart electronic device via a base station in step301, and proceeds to step 303 to receive a voice instruction. At thispoint, the voice instruction may be received from the counterpartelectronic device in communication or received via the microphone of theelectronic device 100.

After that, the electronic device 100 determines whether the receivedvoice instruction is the same as the voice instruction stored in advancein step 305. At this point, the voice instruction stored in advancedenotes a voice instruction corresponding to a circumstance where a usershould input numbers during communication. For example, the circumstancewhere the user should input numbers may be a circumstance where the usershould input one number or a numeral string such as a phone number, aregistration number, a password, and an account number. The voiceinstruction stored in advance may be an instruction requesting a numberinput such as “press numbers” or “input numbers”.

In the case where the received voice instruction is the same as thevoice instruction stored in advance, the electronic device proceeds tostep 307 to detect whether the electronic device 100 is separated farway from the user's ears. At this point, the electronic device maydetect whether the electronic device 100 is separated far way from theuser's ears via sensor data detected by at least one sensor. Forexample, the electronic device 100 may determine whether the user's earsare separated far way from the electronic device 100 via the proximitysensor 140 in the neighborhood of the display panel. For anotherexample, the electronic device 100 may determine whether the user's earsare separated far way from the electronic device 100 via theillumination sensor 142 in the neighborhood of the display panel. Forstill another example, the electronic device 100 may determine whetherthe user's ears are separated far way from the electronic device 100 viaan infrared sensor (not shown) in the neighborhood of the display panel.

In the case where the received voice instruction is not the same as thevoice instruction stored in advance in step 305, the electronic device100 returns to step 303 to re-perform subsequent steps.

In the case where the electronic device 100 is separated far way fromthe user's ears, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step 309 todisplay a numerical keypad. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, inthe case where the electronic device 100 is separated far way from theuser's ears, the electronic device 100 displays a numerical keypad 401.At this point, the electronic device 100 may display a transmit button403 and a cancel button 405 on the screen where the numerical keypad 401is displayed.

In contrast, in the case where the electronic device 100 is notseparated far way from the user's ears, the electronic device 100returns to step 307 to re-perform subsequent steps.

After that, the electronic device 100 receives at least one number viathe numerical keypad in step 311, and proceeds to step 313 to store thereceived number in the buffer 112 without transmitting the receivednumber. At this point, the electronic device may store numbers in thebuffer 112 in a sequence by which numbers have been received. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in the case where 1, 2, 3 aresequentially received via the numerical keypad, the electronic device100 may store the numbers 1, 2, 3 in the buffer 112 in a receivedsequence.

After that, the electronic device 100 determines whether a predeterminedtime has elapsed from a point at which the numbers have been receivedvia the numerical keypad in step 315.

In the case where the predetermined time has elapsed from a point atwhich the number has been received, the electronic device 100 mayproceed to step 317 to transmit a DTMF corresponding to the numberstored in the buffer 112 to a base station. At this point, in the casewhere at least two numbers are stored in the buffer 112, the electronicdevice 100 may transmit first a DTMF corresponding to a number storedfirst among the at least two numbers to the base station. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the case where numbers 1, 2, 3 have beensequentially stored, the electronic device 100 transmits a DTMFcorresponding to the number 1 first to the base station, and thentransmits a DTMF corresponding to the number 2 to the base station, andtransmits a DTMF corresponding to the number 3 to the base station last.At this point, the electronic device may select numbers for which thepredetermined time has been elapsed from the input point among thenumbers stored in the buffer 112, and transmit DTMFs corresponding tothe selected numbers, respectively, to the base station. After that, theelectronic device 100 ends the procedure according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

In contrast, in the case where the predetermined time has not elapsedfrom the point at which the numbers have been received, the electronicdevice 100 proceeds to step 319 to determine whether a transmissionevent occurs. At this point, the electronic device 100 may detect atransmission event via whether the transmit button is selected orwhether the electronic device 100 gets close to a user's ears.

In the case where the transmission event is detected, the electronicdevice 100 proceeds to step 317 to transmit DTMs corresponding to thenumbers stored in the buffer, respectively, to the base station. Forexample, in the case where selection of the transmit button is detected,the electronic device 100 may transmit a plurality of DTMFscorresponding to the numbers stored in the buffer 112 to the basestation. For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when detecting acircumstance where the electronic device 100 gets close to a user'sears, the electronic device 100 may determine the user successfullycompletes number input and desires to perform a communication functioncontinuously, and transmit a plurality of DTMFs corresponding to thenumbers stored in the buffer 112 to the base station. At this point, asillustrated in FIG. 7, the electronic device 100 may detect numbers 701received via the numerical keypad during communication, and numbers 703temporarily stored in the buffer 112 and transmitted to the base stationamong the received number 701 in real-time, and display the same.Additionally, though not shown, in the case where the cancel button isselected under a user control, the electronic device 100 may delete anumber that is not transmitted to the base station and temporarilystored in the buffer 112 up to the current point. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 7, in the case where after 1, 2, 3 are sequentiallyinput, 1 and 2 are transmitted to the base station and 3 is temporarilystored in the buffer 112 among the input numbers due to elapse of thepredetermined time, when a user selects the cancel button, theelectronic device 100 may delete the number 3 temporarily stored in thebuffer 112 without transmitting the number 3. After that, the electronicdevice 100 ends the procedure according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In contrast, in the case where the transmission event is not detected,the electronic device returns to step 315 to re-perform subsequentsteps.

An embodiment and all functional operations of the disclosure describedin the present specification may be implemented by computer softwareincluding a structure disclosed in the present specification andequivalents thereof, firmware, or hardware, or a combination of one ormore of these. Also, embodiments of the disclosure described in thepresent specification may be implemented by one or more computer programproducts, that is, a data processing device, or one or more modules ofcomputer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium forcontrolling the operation of this device.

The computer readable medium may be a machine readable storage medium, amachine readable storage substrate, a memory device, configuration of amaterial influencing a machine readable radio wave stream, or acombination of one or more of these. A terminology of the dataprocessing device includes a programmable processor, a computer, or allapparatus, devices, and machines for processing data including a multiprocessor or computer, for example. The apparatus may include a code forgenerating an execution environment for a relevant computer program inaddition to the hardware, for example, a processor firmware, a protocolstack, a database management system, an operating system or a codeforming a combination of one or more of these.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, thescope of the present disclosure should not be limited to theabove-described embodiments but should be determined by not only theappended claims but also the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating an electronic device, themethod comprising: detecting a number input event during communication;in response to detecting the number input event, displaying a numericalkeypad; receiving at least one number via the numerical keypad; storingthe at least one number in a buffer; and in response to a transmissionevent being detected, transmitting at least one dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) corresponding to the at least one number stored in thebuffer to a base station.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein detectingthe number input event during communication comprises: detecting whethera voice instruction received during the communication corresponds to avoice instruction stored in advance; and in response to the voiceinstruction received during the communication corresponding to the voiceinstruction stored in advance, detecting the number input event.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: in response to the voiceinstruction received during the communication corresponding to the voiceinstruction stored in advance, detecting whether a user's ears areseparated from the electronic device by a threshold distance via atleast one sensor, wherein when the user's ears are separated from theelectronic device by the threshold distance, the number input event isdetected.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission event isdetected when a predetermined time elapses from a point at which the atleast one number is received via the numerical keypad.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transmission event is detected by selection of atransmit menu.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission eventis detected by determining a circumstance where a user's ears approachthe electronic device via at least one sensor.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting a number input cancel event; and inresponse to detecting the number input cancel event, deleting at leastone number not transmitted to the base station and present in the bufferfrom the buffer to cancel an input.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereincanceling the input comprises: deleting, from the buffer, a number inputlast in time via the numerical keypad among numbers not transmitted tothe base station and present in the buffer.
 9. The method of claim 7,further comprising: in response to detecting the number input cancelevent, determining whether at least one number not transmitted to thebase station is present in the buffer; and when no number nottransmitted to the base station is present in the buffer, displaying agraphic element representing the input is non-cancelable.
 10. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: displaying a number received up to acurrent point via the numerical keypad and a number whose DTMF has beentransmitted in real-time.
 11. An apparatus for transmitting a dual tonemulti frequency (DTMF) in an electronic device, the apparatuscomprising: one or more processors; a touch detect display; at least onesensor; a memory; and one or more programs stored in the memorycomprising instructions for: detecting a number input event duringcommunication, in response to detecting the number input event,displaying a numerical keypad, receiving at least one number via thenumerical keypad, storing the at least one number in a buffer, and inresponse to a transmission event being detected, transmitting at leastone DTMF corresponding to the at least one number stored in the bufferto a base station.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the programfurther comprises one or more instructions for: detecting whether avoice instruction received during the communication corresponds to avoice instruction stored in advance, and in response to the voiceinstruction received during the communication corresponding to the voiceinstruction stored in advance, detecting the number input event.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the program further comprises one or moreinstructions for: in response to the voice instruction received duringthe communication corresponding to the voice instruction stored inadvance, detecting whether a user's ears are separated from theelectronic device by a threshold distance via at least one sensor,wherein when the user's ears are separated from the electronic device bythe threshold distance, the number input event is detected.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmission event is detected when apredetermined time elapses from a point at which the at least one numberis received via the numerical keypad.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the transmission event is detected by selection of a transmitmenu.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmission event isdetected by determining a circumstance where a user's ears approach theelectronic device via at least one sensor provided.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the program further comprises one or more instructionsfor: detecting a number input cancel event, and in response to detectingthe number input cancel event, deleting at least one number nottransmitted to the base station and present in the buffer from thebuffer to cancel an input.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theprogram further comprises one or more instructions for deleting, fromthe buffer, a number input last in time via the numerical keypad amongnumbers not transmitted to the base station and present in the buffer.19. The apparatus of claim 17, the program further comprises one or moreinstructions for: in response to detecting the number input cancelevent, determining whether at least one number not transmitted to thebase station and is present in the buffer, and when no number nottransmitted to the base station is present in the buffer, displaying agraphic element representing the input is non-cancelable.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 11, the program further comprises one or moreinstructions for displaying a number received up to a current point viathe numerical keypad and a number whose DTMF has been transmitted inreal-time.